Italy has secured a landmark achievement in the Spanish dairy market, entering the top three cheese suppliers for the first time and overtaking France, according to the latest data analyzed by research institute Nomisma.
In 2025, dairy products generated the highest turnover among all Italian food and beverage exports to Spain, reaching €385.3 million. The figure highlights the growing importance of the category in bilateral trade and signals a strengthening competitive position for Italian producers.
Despite relatively modest domestic consumption—Spain records approximately 8 kilograms of cheese per capita, roughly one-third of Italy’s level—the breadth of available products continues to support diverse consumer demand. This openness has created fertile ground for imported cheeses, including those from Italy.
Until recently, the Spanish import market for cheese and dairy products had been firmly dominated by the Netherlands, followed by Germany and France, leaving Italy outside the podium of leading supplier countries. However, the past year marked a turning point. Italian cheese exports to Spain posted a significantly higher year-on-year growth rate compared to key competitors, measured against 2024 levels. This performance enabled Italy to strengthen its competitive standing in the market.
Import growth extended across all categories, both in value and volume. This indicates that the expansion is underpinned by solid commercial fundamentals rather than being driven solely by generalized price increases.
Industry analysts attribute this success to the robustness of Italy’s production model. The sector continues to benefit from high-quality raw materials, stringent production standards, and transparent communication strategies. These elements allow consumers to better understand the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the supply chain—factors that are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions in international markets.